Edit Suite: Editing Video Events (page 2)

Here's a better version: (see Figure 2.)
A: The batter connects solidly and heads for first base.
B: CU of passionate fan as her expression changes from suspense to triumph.
C: Batter now standing with one toe on first.
And where, pray tell, did this passionate fan suddenly come from? From your handy-dandy library of cutaways that you so carefully recorded at the game. (Or, if you're a big baseball fan, at several different games. After all, when you're framing the cheering fan, who can tell which play or even which game she's applauding?)
The fan represents one great source of cutaways: spectators. Whether you're at a lecture, a ballet or a stock car race, decide at some point to swing your camcorder away from the action in order to tape the reaction. Get applause, cheers, groans, intent watching, pointing fingers indicating stuff that's out of frame. Widen to capture the crowd cheering hysterically (or throwing rotten vegetables).
And while you're at it, get some generic stuff too: hotdogs getting smothered in mustard , smoochers oblivious of the event in front of them, kids looking shiny-eyed (or maybe being pests). You'll eventually find uses for much of this stuff, and if you don't, hey there's always the next game.
Another good source for cutaways is side action. Back at the rodeo, capture the antics of the cowboy clowns. Better yet, tape them as they swing into action to distract a bronco from stomping a downed rider. For one ride, let the contestant go past while you hold on the guys who open and then close the gate.
Finally, look for spectators who aren't in the stands. At a football or basketball game, the coach is always a natural, pacing up and down, reacting to everything on the field or court, angry, triumphant, agonized. And because many coaches obligingly wear the same topcoat or warmup jacket to every blessed game, build up your repertory of coach cutaways and save them for other con…